Thrashers pick Fraser as 1st coach

Posted: Wednesday, July 14, 1999

By Javier SolanoThe Orlando Sentinel

Don Waddell did it once before, passing over more experienced coaching candidates to hire Curt Fraser for his International Hockey League expansion team in Orlando. Four years later, now holding the NHL ignition keys in Atlanta, Waddell is ready to make the same choice.

The Solar Bears lose their bench boss to the parent club today in Atlanta, where Fraser will be introduced as the first head coach of the NHL-expansion Thrashers.

Neither the Solar Bears nor the Thrashers, entering a two-year affiliate agreement, would confirm the announcement. According to the multiple sources requesting anonymity in the Orlando Sentinel, Waddell has tapped Fraser for the job. A press conference has been scheduled for 2 p.m. EDT at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta.

Other short-list candidates included ex-Buffalo Sabres (NHL) coach Ted Nolan and Hamilton Bullfrogs (American Hockey League) coach Walt Kyle. Waddell, the former Solar Bears' General Manager who is now Thrashers' GM, brought Fraser back for a second interview last week.

Neither could be reached for comment on Tuesday, but Fraser was energized by the second two-day session with the Thrashers, much more detailed than the first. They were his first NHL coaching interviews.

''They want to play an aggressive style, and I suppose that's why I was considered -- intensity,'' Fraser, 41, said Monday. ''... They don't want to have somebody come in there, rely totally on defense and put the building to sleep. They're looking for a combination of both -- someone that can energize the building and be good with the young guys.''

Fraser played left wing for 12 seasons in the NHL, posting 433 points and 1,306 penalty minutes in 704 games for Vancouver, Chicago and Minnesota. He is the winningest active coach in the IHL, compiling a record of 281-158-52 in six seasons.